Red Hawks looking for a positive Week 9

Published 10:33 am, Monday, April 25, 2016

The Red Hawks were 6-0 and enjoying success and attention the team has never received before.

But they knew they hadn't accomplished anything but securing a playoff berth.

Two weeks  and two losses later,  the Red Hawks have been beaten physically by Unionville-Sebewaing Area and Reese.

However, emotionally Cass City may not recover.

Against USA, the largest crowd in school history turned up to witness a 45-28 loss.

Friday night, a crowd of similar numbers was on hand to see Reese handle the Red Hawks, 35-14.

The losses have taken their toll on the players, coaches, and maybe even the community.

Physically, Cass City's best player, Cody Halasz, was knocked out of the Reese game with injuries to his ribs and left ankle.

But with a home contest remaining with Freeland, coach Scott Cuthrell needs to find a way to get past the disappointment of the past two weeks.

"We just have to get back to a positive attitude and get ready for Freeland," said Cuthrell. "We have to go back to what we do well."

With a senior-laden squad, Cuthrell has to turn to the experience of those players to not let this season slip away.

"We have good ball players, we're senior loaded, so we have to ask for some senior leadership to take over this team," he said.

"I think we're capable of doing that. We'll find out next week."

Reese knew the importance of winning this game.

Not only do the Rockets clinch a berth in the playoffs, but they look to have fully recovered from a 21-0 loss to USA a couple of weeks ago in the Sugar Bowl.

Much like last year's loss to the Patriots, the Rockets seemed to discover something about themselves.

Last year, they found a quarterback in Corbin Oldenburg who helped them finish the season strong  eventually making the Division 6 semifinals.

This year, in their loss to USA, the Rockets only gave the ball to tailback Jason Bierlein nine times.

Most of that was due to the ineffectiveness of the option offense.

After another poor performance, Reese coach Bob Saylor decided to trash the option for now, and go with a different QB in Zach Heinlein.

The changes worked as Bierlein got his touches with 27 carries for 237 yards and four touchdowns.

"Corbin struggled last week (with Bay City All Saints)  and we felt like it was a good time to make the change," said Saylor. "Zach has been coming on in practice, so we just decided to make the change and see where it took us."

Where it has taken them is back to the playoffs and a chance to improve on last year's semifinal disappointment.

"The whole not being satisfied thing comes from last year's semifinal run," Saylor said. "We were almost there, but…

"In camp, we talked about not being satisfied and getting better.

"This win is going to get our kids believing. We do have a good football team  and we're getting better."

After seeing Reese's performance Friday night, I don't see too many teams in Division 6 that can beat this team if it remains focused and keeps improving.

The Rockets are battle tested, as well, with a schedule that features possibly six playoff teams on it in Hemlock (5-3), Ubly (4-3), USA (7-0), BCAS (5-3), Cass City (6-2), and Richmond (7-1).

As for Cass City, the season isn't lost just yet, but the Red Hawks almost have to win at home against Freeland next week to avoid a disappointing end to an otherwise great season.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6461 ext. 112 or at padams@hearstnp.com.